Up the Grades: Bottom-agers blooded in VFL
A PAIR of bottom-agers tied to Northern Academies were unleashed unto the VFL over the weekend, as Gold Coast’s Leonardo Lombard and GWS’ Josaia Delana made their state league debuts. Both acclimated well, notching 11 and 12 disposals respectively. Lombard’s Suns thrashed Carlton out of a Wildcard Round spot on percentage, winning to the tune […]
Up the Grades: Stevens bares claws in Cats return
TALENT pathway prospects were littered across the state leagues over the weekend, headlined by George Stevens‘ return to Geelong’s VFL side. The GWV Rebels product won a team-high 29 touches in the Cats’ heavy loss to Collingwood, thriving in wet conditions with his contested nous. Stevens has been a standout in the Talent League of […]
Your questions answered: July Power Rankings
THE LATEST AFL Draft Power Rankings instalment dropped on Monday, with a bunch of fresh faces introduced to the extended list of 30. There were still plenty of unlucky players to miss out and subsequent questions to arise. We attempt to answer them in this Q&A. >> Top 30: July 2023 Power Rankings JULY POWER […]
Up the Grades: Swans blood Academy guns
AFL DRAFT prospects continue to climb the grades in 2023, headlined over the weekend by a trio of Swans Academy products in the VFL. Midfielder Caiden Cleary was the pick of the bunch, compiling 18 disposals, seven tackles and a goal as Sydney comfortably beat Essendon. Fellow Allies squad members Max Rider (13 disposals, one […]
AFL Draft Analysis: 2023’s midfield make-up
AFL DRAFT classes are often judged on their midfield stocks. While 2023’s stocks don’t look entirely rich, recruiters looking for on-ball depth will be strategising whether they can extract value this year, or perhaps even dip shift tact towards next year’s intake. Having already analysed the top tall talent from the 2005-born cohort, we place […]
PROFILED | The 2023 title-winning Allies squad
THE 2023 Allies squad is barely a week removed from officially stamping itself as the best group in the team’s relatively short history, having emphatically taken out this year’s AFL Under 18 National Championships title – undefeated, no less. Consisting of players from the Northern Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania, the Allies had […]
Scouting Notes: 2023 AFL U18s – Vic Country vs. Allies
THE ALLIES claimed their first ever AFL Under 18 National Championships title yesterday, after holding on to beat Vic Country by nine points at RSEA Park yesterday. With 16 National Academy members afield, there were plenty of prospects to highlight in the latest instalment of Scouting Notes. >> Match Report: Allies claim historic maiden title